Chapter 398: The Face of the Li Family

"Dominion Over Nine Heavens" Search for the latest chapter!

At the thought of the upcoming match, Hawkland’s recently lifted spirits sank back into worry.

Xifeng Holy Sanctuary… ranked ninth among the Holy Sanctuaries, one of the so-called Top Ten Holy Sanctuaries.

The Top Ten stand in a category all their own compared to other Holy Sanctuaries. Even Londom, ranked eleventh, may seem just a step away, but the gap between them and the Top Ten is vast.

Putting aside other factors like heritage, any Holy Sanctuary that bears the Top Ten label instantly becomes a beacon for all outstanding talents across the League of Blades. Londom, ranked eleventh, might mostly attract locals, but the Top Ten Holy Sanctuaries… every talented individual in the League of Blades would crawl over broken glass to get in!

Simply put, they only accept the best of the best.

In terms of disciples, they take only the most gifted individuals with the strongest family backgrounds. Every year, the League of Blades sees a flood of geniuses lining up for their selection;

In terms of mentors, all outstanding instructors from the 108 Holy Sanctuaries are willing to transfer—even if it means leaving their hometowns—to teach at the Top Ten. And even then, connections are needed—otherwise, you won’t get in;

In terms of financial resources, they receive sponsorships from both commercial and official League sources, along with full resource support from the Holy Sanctuary headquarters. The substantial annual funding allocated specifically to the Top Ten is meant to build their brand and prestige—and to create greater competitive pressure for other Holy Sanctuaries.

Student quality, faculty, and financial strength—these three aspects alone create an insurmountable gap between the Top Ten and other Holy Sanctuaries. And that’s not even considering the countless other invisible disparities.

Can a locally focused Holy Sanctuary like Londom, ranked eleventh, possibly compare? Their disciples are the top one percent across the entire League, forming teams made up of the cream of the crop, with absolutely no weaknesses. For other Holy Sanctuaries, producing even a single expert ranked within the top fifty is nearly impossible, but for the Top Ten, two-thirds of the top fifty individual rankings likely belong to them!

And Xifeng Holy Sanctuary is precisely this terrifying caliber.

Hawkland is well aware that while the previous four 3-0 victories were impressive and the Old Wang Squad performed admirably, those were merely warm-ups.

The real battle is only just beginning!

---

The Li Family of the Great Desolate Mountains, Eastern District, League of Blades.

Just beyond the mountains lies the Barbarian Territory of the Nine Gods Empire—a forsaken land abandoned by the Nine Gods. Apart from the garrisoned Nine Gods' Wasteland Garrison, the region is filled with poisonous fog and venom-infested beasts. In truth, the Wasteland Garrison isn't stationed there to defend against potential incursions from the League, but to prevent the toxic beasts from escaping the Barbarian Territory.

The Li Family's mandate here parallels that of the Nine Gods' Wasteland Garrison—they too are tasked with repelling these beasts. Additionally, this area serves as one of the training bases for the League’s most mysterious intelligence agency, "Brocade Wind."

Mo Tan sat in the reception room. Two of the Li Family’s retainers, knowing their place, did not sit but stood to the side, engaging him in conversation. The Li Family might seem rustic, but their discipline was strict.

"Family Head arrives!"

A soft announcement came from outside.

The two retainers immediately stepped out to greet him. Mo Tan’s lips twitched as he quickly composed his expression into a warm, practiced smile, standing up precisely as the Li Family Head and his second son, Li Muyun, reached the doorway.

Mo Tan smiled, his gaze sweeping over the Family Head. So what if this man had founded "Brocade Wind"? Time had hunched him like a gnarled tree—now just a withered elder. His height… was it just an illusion, or had he grown even shorter since their last meeting?

Indeed, the rumors of the "Li Family’s decline" held water. Two years ago, the old man had contracted a mysterious affliction—possibly a curse or poison from the Nine Gods—severely weakening him. Since then, the Li Family’s external affairs had been handled by the eldest son, Li Mutian. Even in the League’s Parliament, Li Mutian often acted in his father’s stead. The old man only appeared for major events, and even then, only briefly. At this rate, the Li Family’s loss of power—even handing over Brocade Wind—was inevitable. No wonder their recent maneuvers leaned toward the progressive camp.

As these thoughts raced through his mind, Mo Tan’s words oozed practiced charm: "Elder Li! My apologies for dropping by unannounced. Brother Muyun, it’s been years. Over a decade ago, I had the honor of witnessing your crowning triumph—the day you slew the Nine Gods’ Seven Sons. To this day, I still feel privileged."

Li Muyun chuckled. This Mo Tan truly lived up to his reputation as the League Parliament’s top sly fox, a master at reading a room blindfolded. That battle had indeed been his proudest moment, though few knew of it due to certain circumstances. He’d longed to boast but lacked an audience. Mo Tan hadn’t even been there, yet he spun the tale so convincingly. No wonder even a wise ruler like Emperor Ander trusted him so deeply. Flattery sickened him when he saw it used on others—but when aimed at himself, it carried a strange kind of satisfaction.

"Councilor Mo, you flatter me. That’s just bygone glory, hardly worth mentioning."

"Haha, Councilor Mo, my son has only that one achievement worth boasting about, and he’s been full of himself for over a decade. Butter him up any more, and he might grow complacent." The old man spoke as he took his seat at the head of the table. "Councilor Mo, what brings you here today?"

"Indeed, Elder Li. Trouble’s brewing on the horizon. As the master of Brocade Wind, you’re aware of all matters great and small. Currently, the Nine Gods Empire is on the warpath. The League must prioritize stability—only by keeping our guard up can we avoid exposing weaknesses and deter their ambitions. Wouldn’t you say that’s the case?" Mo Tan spoke eloquently.

The old man gave a light laugh and nodded. "That is indeed the case."

"Exactly the point, Speaker Andre himself once said that the Alliance needs reform, but we must not act in haste. Nothing should be rushed—haste often turns good intentions into disasters. Moreover, with such grave external threats, why escalate disputes and give the Nine Divinities an advantage? Take the matter of Rose Sanctuary, for example. It was merely a routine reassignment under the Alliance's pursuit of stability. A bunch of teenagers wouldn’t understand political foresight. Don’t you agree, Elder Li?"

"Heh, the kids at Rose are indeed acting out," Elder Li chuckled again, lifting his teacup for a sip before setting it down casually.

"Utterly misbehaving—Elder Li’s choice of words is precise. It’s truly disheartening, especially Winnie. She was always such a good child, so pure-hearted and lively. But now, at Rose, she’s been swept up by those reckless upstarts. Elder Li, Speaker Andre has also said that the outstanding should be among the outstanding, so they can inspire one another. If Winnie continues down this path, it won’t end well."

"Oh? What would you suggest, Councilor Mo?"

"Since Elder Li wishes to hear it, I’ll speak plainly! Right now, Rose Sanctuary in Aurora City is a cesspool. There’s no need for Winnie to stay tangled up with those people. I can pull some strings to have her transferred to Zenith Sanctuary. The elite of the younger generation are all there. Letting the children bond would greatly benefit Winnie’s future. To be even more blunt, it would also be of immense advantage to the Li family’s future."

"Finished?"

"Hmm?" Mo Tan was momentarily taken aback, his smile still fixed on his face, but his eyes shifted as he looked at Elder Li.

The old man tapped the table lightly with his right hand, his previously amiable tone turning icy. "If I heard correctly, you’re telling me how to run my affairs?"

"Elder Li, you may have misunderstood. I represent Speaker Andre—"

*Bang.* Elder Li rapped the table. "Muyun, Councilor Mo seems delusional. Take him to cool off."

With a clatter, Mo Tan stood up, both shocked and furious. "How dare you! I am Speaker Andre’s son-in-law, a councilor of the League of Blades!"

Li Muyun smiled faintly, his hands like iron claws as he dragged Mo Tan out. Leaning close, he whispered, "Councilor Mo, do you know why you were made to wait for a quarter-hour earlier? Are you familiar with No. 76 Wendel Road?"

"You... you..." Mo Tan’s entire body stiffened in an instant. That quarter-hour wait—the Li family had been investigating him! But was this a last-minute check, or had they pulled an old report? If it was the former...

Just moments ago, he’d thought the Li family, isolated in their remote territory, were mere backwater lords—easy to manipulate with a few smooth words...

"A pitiful woman and two children, dead just like that. Councilor, you were so ruthless even to your own woman and children. What would Speaker Andre think if he knew?"

Mo Tan’s throat tightened. He’d become a councilor of the League by marrying Speaker Andre’s most beloved daughter. But before that, he’d had a lover—and a child on the way. Of course, for the sake of his future, no poison, no true man!

This... no one should have known.

"You’re lying—"

Li Muyun patted Mo Tan’s tense shoulder. "Councilor Mo, don’t be nervous. Clarity is all we seek. The Li family never makes baseless claims. Time’s getting late—we won’t keep you for dinner. Escort the councilor out."

After seeing the dazed Mo Tan off, Li Muyun returned to the reception room. "Father, your cultivation is at a critical juncture. Why bother with such trash? Next time, let me handle him."

"Heh, he was sent here on orders. If he didn’t meet me, those behind him would grow suspicious of our plans."

"Andre?"

"He’s not worthy. In earlier years, the Li family made too many enemies. It wasn’t until I founded Brocade Wind and stood firm for two years that... heh, those old bastards finally backed off..."

Li Muyun nodded. If one were to scrutinize them, none of the great nobles were clean. But... He opened his mouth, then hesitated.

"What? You also think Winnie should return?"

"Of course not. It’s just... I personally investigated Wang Feng. His sudden rise—there are too many oddities."

In intelligence work, anomalies always signaled trouble. Wang Feng’s identity was clear: a former Nine Divinities Dandelion agent. Yet somehow, Karida had forcibly flipped him—a miracle, given that Dandelions were expendable operatives. Breaking under torture was normal, but turning against the Nine Divinities? Wang Feng was the first.

More than once, Li Muyun had marveled at Karida’s sheer brilliance. This wasn’t something a mere seduction ploy could achieve—if it were that easy, many of Brocade Wind’s operations wouldn’t be so convoluted. If not for Karida’s special status, he’d have brought her into Brocade Wind to share insights...

But that aside, why had Wang Feng—after defecting—suddenly transformed from a disposable deathsworn into a rune master?

"If something is beyond understanding, don’t dwell on it. Focus on the present. In time, all will be revealed..."

"Father, I suspect Wang Feng has truly mastered an effective method for beastman awakening. And he must still have trump cards—his secret ace in Dragon City’s illusionary realm."

The old man smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying. "By the way, send Winnie some quality makeup, and dispatch the clan’s master of disguise to teach her proper application… After all, she represents the family’s representative beauty…"